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` vA. viklvfsm'l.v GOMBINBD JARIWRBNCH AND GAN OPENER. v No. 292,710. V Patented Jam-29,1884.'

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- jaws, being connected by a pintle, i;

UNITED .STATES PATENT OFFICE. n

ALEXANDER VAN .SLYIE, OF FORT PLAIN, YORK. l

COMBINED JAR-WRENCH AND ,CANA-,OPENER SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0.,292,710, dated January 29, 1884.

Application filed July 19, 1883. (N o model.)

To-LZZ whom it may con/cern.-

Be it known that I, ALEXANDER VAN SLYKE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Fort Plain, in the county of Montgomery and State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Combined Jar-Wrench and Can-Opener, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description. 4

This invention is in'the nature `of a combination-tool for independent use in securing and removingfthat class of jar-covers which are provided with a screw thread or threads, or equivalent means for-connection with the jar, and for cutting out permanently-attached metallic covers or tops of cans.

The invention consists in two semicircular jaws provided with handles at one end and hinge-jointed at the other, whereby they may be opened more or less to embrace jar coversY or caps of different circumferences, and having internal friction-linings secured in recesses in the jaws proper to insure the biting of the jaws upon the covers or caps, without injury to such covers or caps, to gain a firm hold upon them in placing or removing them.

The invention also consists in a metal cutting-blade secured to one of such jaws at a point to admit of the use of such jaw as a i'ulcrum for the operating of said blade in cutting open permanently-closed can-tops.

In the accompanying drawings, in the'several figures of which like parts are similarly designated, Figure 1 is a yperspective view of my combined jar-cover wrench and canopenerin position for use as a wrench upon a jar. Fig. 2 is a plan view of` the same in position for use as a can-opener upon a can, and Fig. 3 is a cross-section of thejaws about midway of their semicircular parts.

The -letters a b designate jaws composed of the semicircular members c d, handles e f, which come together as a whole when the jaws are closed, and hinge members g h, said last-named members, and consequently the The handles and hinge members will beat opposite ends of the jaws. Interiorly the members c dl are recessed, as at 1c k, and in said recesses are cemented or otherwise suitably secured linings Z l, of some frictional material, as sheet-rubber, rubber cloth, or leather.

The jaws may be light metal castings, and strengthened by external longitudinal spines m. The spine m of one jaw is arranged to receive a metal cutting-blade, n, fastened in place by a screw or rivet, o, and in order to give such blade sufficient stability I provide it with wings or offsets p, shaped to iit snugly against the part c or d of the jaw to which it is applied, and with the same view I may also provide such blade with a sort of tongue, r, seated in a notch in the jaw. By means of its rivet, wings, and tongue the blade is enabled to withstand the force applied in operating it. In `operation the periphery of the spine to which the blade is attached will constitute the fulcrum `for the blade, of which the handles c f are the operating-lever. Y

In using this tool for applying or removing the screw or like caps or Covers of jars, the jaws are opened sufficiently to encompass the cap, when they are bound or closed about it by causing the handles to approach, (see Fig. 1,) and when, upon motion'in the right direction, the friction-linings will so bind upon the caps as to admit of the turning down or up of such cap, and the closing or opening of the j ar is thus effectedvery simply and quickly.

In using the can-opener, the point of the blade is driven by a blow of the wrench through the can-top, and then, by using the edge of the spine m as afulcrum upon the can-top as abase and giving the wrench a sort of rocking motion, the blade is made to cut the top to the desired extent for its removal or raising. (See Fig. 2.)

The invention is not restricted to the combination with the wrench of a can-cutting blade.

What I claim is- 1. A jar-cover wrench composed of theA two jaws a b, having selnicircular members c d, recessed interiorly and lined with fric- 95 tional material, the handles ef, and the hinging members, substantially as shown and described.

2. The combination, with the jar-wrench,

ranged thereupon, substantially as set forth, to admit of the use of the wrench as an operating handle or lever for such blade, as set forth.

Intestimony whereof I 'have hereunto set 105 my hand this 16th day of July,'A. D. 1883.

ALEXANDER VAN SLYKE. Witnesses:

T. B. TUNNICLIFF, JAMEs ZIELLEY. 

